HiTechEdge

Tag: Microsoft

  • Not So Fast: FTC Renews Objections to Microsoft/Activision Deal

    Not So Fast: FTC Renews Objections to Microsoft/Activision Deal

    The Federal Trade Commission is renewing its objections to Microsoft’s proposed purchase of Activision Blizzard.

    Microsoft has been pursuing a $68.7 billion deal to purchase the game studio. The company has, however, been fighting an uphill battle against regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. While the EU eventually greenlit the deal, the UK and US both objected from the outset.

    Despite withdrawing the initial case from adjudication, the FTC has decided to once again try to block the merger, according to an order the agency released:

    The Commission has determined that the public interest warrants that this matter be resolved fully and expeditiously. Therefore, the Commission is returning this matter to adjudication.

    The evidentiary hearing in this proceeding shall commence twenty one days after the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issues its opinion regarding the appeal of the district court decision on the requested preliminary injunction. Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell has determined that the evidentiary hearing will be conducted virtually. Pursuant to Commission Rule 3.41(a), 16 C.F.R. § 3.41(a), we have determined to make provision for appropriate public access.

    The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has since softened its stance in response to concessions made by Microsoft, and has given preliminary approval to the deal. If the company is not able to prevail against the FTC, however, it would spell near-certain doom for the merger.

  • Microsoft Cracks Down on Emulation on the Xbox

    Microsoft Cracks Down on Emulation on the Xbox

    Microsoft Xbox users are being told they can’t run emulated software, ending a long-standing ability gamers have enjoyed.

    Gamers have been able to load emulation software on the Xbox Series X and Series S since their introduction, giving them the ability to run any number of legacy games. According to The Verge, Microsoft appears to be cracking down on the practice, with users being met with a message saying it violates Microsoft Store Policy.

    “Unable to launch this game or app,” the message reads. “The game or app you’re trying to launch violates Microsoft Store policy and is not supported.”

    According to Microsoft Azure developer Alyanna McKenna, the decision is the result of “legal issues with Nintendo.”

    https://twitter.com/AlyannaMcKenna/status/1644033000219332613?s=20
  • Bethesda Sunsetting Its Game Launch in Favor of Steam

    Bethesda Sunsetting Its Game Launch in Favor of Steam

    Bethesda has announced it is sunsetting its own Bethesda.net Launcher, embracing Steam instead.

    Bethesda has a long and storied history in the video game industry, eventually being acquired by Microsoft in 2020. The company has maintained its own game launcher, Bethesda.net, but is now shutting it down in favor of the Steam platform.

    The company plans to begin the migration in April, providing detailed instruction to users on how to migrate their game library and Wallets.

    We’re saying goodbye to the Bethesda.net Launcher this year. We would like to thank you for your support and assure you that all of your games are safe. If you’re not playing PC games through the Bethesda.net launcher then your work is done here. Thanks for reading! If you do have games through the Bethesda.net launcher, don’t worry. Starting in early April you’ll be able to migrate your games and Wallet to your Steam account.

    The migration process is expected to be completed by May, at which point the Bethesda.net Launcher will no longer be available.

  • Microsoft Commits to Keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation — For Now

    Microsoft Commits to Keeping Call of Duty on PlayStation — For Now

    Following Microsoft’s blockbuster purchase of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is working to reassure PlayStation users.

    Microsoft announced a deal on Tuesday to purchase Activision Blizzard for some $68.7 billion, a move that will upend the entire computing gaming industry. Needless to day, many wondered if Microsoft would kill off non-Xbox and PC versions of popular titles, such as Call of Duty.

    According to Spencer, the company has no plans to do that…at least not yet.

    Had good calls this week with leaders at Sony. I confirmed our intent to honor all existing agreements upon acquisition of Activision Blizzard and our desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation. Sony is an important part of our industry, and we value our relationship.

    — Phil Spencer (XboxP3), January 20, 2022

    As some commenters immediately pointed out, Spencer’s choice of words certainly leaves doubt about the long-term future. Rather than a strong ‘we WILL keep Call of Duty on PlayStation,’ Spencer seemingly left Microsoft an out by only saying the company would honor existing agreements, and it was their desire to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation.

    Only time will tell how committed Microsoft is to other gaming platforms over the long haul.

  • Microsoft and Sega Exploring ‘Strategic Alliance’

    Microsoft and Sega Exploring ‘Strategic Alliance’

    Microsoft and Sega have announced they are exploring a “strategic alliance” to create new titles and a next-gen development environment.

    The gaming industry is becoming more competitive and complicated, thanks to the advent of 5G and cloud computing. Games are also taking on a greater importance in society as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing digital transformation.

    Microsoft and Sega see an opportunity to work together to create the next generation of blockbuster games, and Sega is interested in using Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to help create a next-gen development environment.

    “We are very pleased to announce today that we are considering a strategic alliance with Microsoft to help develop SEGA’s new ‘Super Game’ initiative as well as build a next-generation game development environment,” said Yukio Sugino, President and COO, SEGA Corporation. “By considering a strategic partnership with Microsoft, we seek to further advance our game development so that our titles can be enjoyed by fans all over the world; in this regard, we aim to build an alliance that utilizes both SEGA’s powerful game development capabilities and Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and development environment.”

    “SEGA has played such an iconic role in the gaming industry and has been a tremendous partner over the years,” said Sarah Bond, CVP, Microsoft Corporation. “We look forward to working together as they explore new ways to create unique gaming experiences for the future using Microsoft cloud technologies. Together we will reimagine how games get built, hosted, and operated, with a goal of adding more value to players and SEGA alike.”

  • Microsoft VS Code Now Available In-Browser

    Microsoft VS Code Now Available In-Browser

    Microsoft has made its VS Code development tool available in the browser, reducing the need to install the app.

    VS Code is a popular programming IDE for Windows, macOS and Linux. The environment supports several different languages out of the box, and has the ability to support even more via extensions.

    Although a lightweight version, VS Code for the Web is still a powerful environment that can be useful when a developer needs to work on a project without their usual setup. The web-based version is also an excellent option for developers who want to work on their iPad, which is not supported with the native version.

    With the availability of vscode.dev, we begin to finally realize our original vision of building a development tool that can run fully serverless in the browser. 

    Developers can get started at https://vscode.dev/.

  • Xbox Controller Firmware Update Improves Connectivity

    Xbox Controller Firmware Update Improves Connectivity

    Microsoft is rolling out a firmware update for Xbox controllers that improves connectivity.

    Xbox controllers are used for a variety of devices, not just the Xbox. The controllers are popular with gamers on Windows 10, iOS and Android. Microsoft’s latest update is designed to improve controller connectivity.

    “These controllers now support Bluetooth Low Energy, which delivers better compatibility across devices and allows for better pairing experiences,” the company announced on its blog. “You will be able to play wirelessly on Windows 10 PCs, iOS 15+, and Android devices with Bluetooth Low Energy for remote play from your console or cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on the go. After installing the firmware update, these controllers will remember one Bluetooth host (e.g., smartphone) and one Xbox Wireless host (e.g., Xbox console), so you can quickly and seamlessly switch between previously connected devices with a simple double tap of the pair button.”

    The new firmware is available for Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers.

  • Microsoft’s Cloud Gaming Service Coming to Xbox Consoles

    Microsoft’s Cloud Gaming Service Coming to Xbox Consoles

    Microsoft is expanding its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, bringing it to Xbox consoles during the holiday season.

    Xbox Cloud Gaming brings over 100 high-quality games to devices via the cloud. The service is already available on mobile devices, in web browsers and on Windows PCs. Now Microsoft is bringing the service to its namesake: the actual Xbox console.

    “Today during today’s Gamescom 2021 Xbox stream we revealed we’re bringing cloud gaming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One this holiday, enabling Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play 100+ games right from the cloud and discover new games with the click of a button,” writes Jake Rosenberg, Senior Program Manager at Xbox. “It’s a way for console gamers to play some of their favorite games as quickly as possible, jump into games with friends more easily, and try out Xbox Game Pass titles before installing them.”

    The announcement is a big win for Xbox customers, and the gaming market in general.

    https://youtu.be/BomfVh2PSkM
  • Microsoft Employees Receiving $1,500 Bonus

    Microsoft Employees Receiving $1,500 Bonus

    Microsoft employees are receiving a $1,500 bonus, an acknowledgement of the unusual fiscal year the company experienced.

    Like many companies, Microsoft has had to adapt to a new normal in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, however, the company has experienced significant growth, driven largely by its cloud business.

    The company is now giving its employees a $1,500 pandemic bonus, “in recognition of the unique and challenging fiscal year that Microsoft just completed,” according to The Verge.

    Interestingly, employees of LinkedIn, GitHub, and ZeniMax — all Microsoft-owned companies – will not be eligible for the bonus.

  • Parallels Plans to Bring Windows 11 to macOS

    Parallels Plans to Bring Windows 11 to macOS

    Parallels is already working on supporting Windows 11 on Apple’s macOS, although no release date has been set.

    Parallels is one of the leading virtualization companies and has been a stalwart on the Mac platform for years. The software allows Mac users to run Windows and Linux from within macOS.

    The company recently updated its software to support Apple’s M1 processors, based on the same processor the company uses in its iPhone and iPad. The company confirmed to iMore that it is now working to support Windows 11 as well.

    “Since Windows 11 has just been announced recently, the Parallels Engineering team is waiting for the official Windows 11 Insider Preview build to start studying changes introduced in the new OS to deliver full compatibility in future Parallels Desktop updates,” Nick Dobrovolskiy, SVP of Engineering and Support told iMore.

    Parallels did not give a release date, or even a window, but did say it “will surely do everything that’s possible to make it happen.”